On Our Radar: Learning to Love a Cluttered Inbox

In preparation for the Affordable Care Act, many restaurants are hiring part-time workers rather than full-time to avoid the law’s requirement that employers offer affordable insurance to workers logging 30 hours or more per week or pay a penalty, reports the Journal. It’s a trend with far-reaching consequences, as those part-timers will also have smaller paychecks, thereby holding back consumer spending. — Lauren Weber

Many busy people complain about not having enough time. But a Harvard economist says that the problem is not really a lack of time, but a lack of focus, according to LinkedIn. Putting away our mobile phones, for one thing, may actually make us more productive. –Rachel Emma Silverman

File this under: There’s More to Life than Money. Under the auspices of the organization Venture for America, some college graduates are turning down lucrative job offers to work for start-ups in eight struggling cities, according to the New York Times. “Smart people should be building things,” not just becoming bankers and consultants, said the group’s founder. — Lauren Weber

There’s more to fostering a collaborative workplace than tearing down the walls between cubicles. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta say that sitting at circular tables with colleagues makes people less competitive and individualistic than sitting at rectangular desks, Quartzreports. – Anita Hofschneider

And finally…

Is your bottomless email inbox stressing you out? Sam Grobart from Bloomberg Businessweek explains why you shouldn’t care about the clutter – and maybe even be thankful for it. – Anita Hofschneider

About At Work

Written and edited by The Wall Street Journal’s Management & Careers group, At Work covers life on the job, from getting ahead to managing staff to finding passion and purpose in the office. Tips, questions? email us.